How does segment-by-segment clearing of miles+copay work when the cost is different?
Oct 26, 2024 | 12:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,352
How does segment-by-segment clearing of miles+copay work when the cost is different?
The only discussion I can find is this thread from almost 10 years ago. I'd like to check on the up-to-date answer. Quoting the OP:
Response:
Is this (still) true? I note that AA says (under "Changing mileage upgrade awards"):
This makes it sound like, at least nowadays, OP could indeed plan on paying only an "add-collect" of 10k + $275 for CDG-JFK. Can anyone confirm? Was this an under-the-radar customer-friendly policy change?
Continuing with the response for the sake of completeness:
I think there is no longer a redeposit fee, but the bigger issue I see with this strategy is that if you cancel the JFK-LAX upgrade, there is no reason to expect that C space will reappear on that flight to allow reconfirming as part of CDG-JFK-LAX. So I don't consider this a viable option.
Is this even possible? I.e., does (or did) AA even have the ability to charge 25k + $350 when clearing only JFK-LAX, just because the pax wants to "prepay" for the waitlisted CDG-JFK?
My daughter is flying LAX-LHR and back CDG-JFK-LAX in July. She has no status on AA so I have been trying to look for C inventory so I can upgrade her with miles + co-pay. The outbound flight does not have any inventory right now, but I will put her in for the upgrade on that. My question is on the inbound flight as it does not have any inventory on the CDG-JFK leg, but does have C inventory in the JFK-LAX leg. I fly that route often and the A32 business class is a nice product (although the 777-300 business class = A32 first class) and would like to get that segment confirmed if possible.
Is it possible to upgrade just the domestic leg and if so would it be just the standard miles + copay (i.e. 15,000 + $75)? If so, can I still put in for the entire leg and just pay the difference if it clears (25,000 + $350 less the 15,000 + $75 = 10,000 + $275)? What I want to avoid is paying both miles + copay, but not sure what else to do in an effort to confirm as much as possible right now.
Is it possible to upgrade just the domestic leg and if so would it be just the standard miles + copay (i.e. 15,000 + $75)? If so, can I still put in for the entire leg and just pay the difference if it clears (25,000 + $350 less the 15,000 + $75 = 10,000 + $275)? What I want to avoid is paying both miles + copay, but not sure what else to do in an effort to confirm as much as possible right now.
If your plans change, you can contact Reservations to change your mileage upgrade award. Theres no fee to change your mileage upgrade award, but you may need to redeem more miles or pay the difference, depending on the new award price.
Continuing with the response for the sake of completeness:
You could technically cancel the domestic upgrade and redeposit the miles, but upgrade co-pays are non-refundable and you'd have to pay the $150 mileage redeposit fee. So total out of pocket for the return would be 25k miles + $350 (int'l co-pay) + $75 (original domestic co-pay) + $150 (redeposit fee).
Nov 21, 2024 | 12:39 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL
Programs: AA PLT, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH LTD
Posts: 10,738
I believe most of the original discussion still applies. No redeposit fees for the miles, but the copay is not refundable. Ideally you're trying to get both legs for the 25K + $350 copay, which is allowed when the inventory is there. And yes, if only JFK-LAX clears what happens then? Would AA refund your miles + copay difference since you only used 15K + $75 worth of upgrade? Hard to say. You could call and ask.
Better solution - monitor EF for upgrade awards. 2 alerts - one for each segment looking for C award space. If the domestic leg opens up, grab it for 15K + $75. Keep watching for the long haul leg to open up. If it does, call and ask to change the mileage award to the 25K + $350 to get both legs.
No easy solution here, though.
Better solution - monitor EF for upgrade awards. 2 alerts - one for each segment looking for C award space. If the domestic leg opens up, grab it for 15K + $75. Keep watching for the long haul leg to open up. If it does, call and ask to change the mileage award to the 25K + $350 to get both legs.
No easy solution here, though.